For this review, I did not use my usual dripping atomizers. As there were only three flavours to review, I thought I’d give them a swirl in my Taifun GT Tank atomizer. This way, I was able to try the flavour over the course of a whole day.
All three flavours were mixed up with IW VPG Power Smoke Baza, diluted to 12mg nic strength. Steeping time was around 1 week.
IW Tino d’Milano LatakiaThe aroma bottle itself emanated a light tobacco and slightly sharp herbal aroma. My test batch was diluted to 3 per cent or around 8 drops per 10 ml.
Latakia is a pleasant, not too complex vape. Above a very light tobacco note, there is a distinct characteristic of vanilla. Not the creamy, custardy french vanilla, but more the vanilla bean / spicy type. On the exhale, there is the herbal note, slightly sweet, which after much trying to figure out, I could best make out as woodruff. This is a nice aroma if you don’t care for the peppery / nutty characteristics from many Chinese liquids.
Verdict: I quite happily vaped the full 5 ml tank over a day, and it blended nicely with both the coffee in the morning as well as with a glass of beer in the evening. If you vape it on its own, you could probably go up to 4-5% of aroma without it becoming overpowering. Or use it as a base flavour for your own tobacco blend.
Rating: A. Good all-day vape.
IW Tino d'Milano BergamotThis was also mixed at 3% - could probably do with a bit less. I have to admit, I didn’t vape the whole tank of this - it’s either a flavour you like or you don’t.
On the plus side, it’s a very good, authentic reproduction of Bergamot flavour - immediately recognisable even by other vapers (I gave this to my wife without telling her the flavour).
So, if you like Bergamot, this is the flavour for you
For me, it’s a bit too perfumey in the long run.
Verdict: On its own, it’s a bit boring (unless you really, really like Bergamot) - I mixed it with ⅔ of IW Black Tea aroma, ⅓ Bergamot. Voilà, a very nice “Earl Grey” type vape.
Rating: B. Nothing wrong with it - very authentic Bergamot flavour. Just not for me.
IW Tino d'Milano ShadeI quite enjoyed this at 3%. It’s a much more complex blend than the Latakia. At first, from the smell of the bottle, I thought this would be similar to the S’Camel flavour (one of my favourites). However, when mixed up, Shade is pretty different. It’s a light tobacco with some oaty and light bitter notes and has something even a bit fruity on the exhale for compensation of the bitterness. It’s just a hint, but if you smell the aroma bottle, you know what I mean.
Verdict: It doesn’t replace S’Camel as my favourite vape, but it’s a nice alternative. It’s very smooth and has no harshness whatsover.
Rating: I prefer the Latakia as an all-day vape, so this one gets a strong B.